2013 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting How Potential Trades Could Shake Up The Draft

If the Pittsburgh Steelers lose Emmanuel Sanders to the Patriots, they are going to be very thin at wide receiver outside of Antonio Brown. Oregon State’s Markus Wheaton is an athletic wideout who can make plays both outside and in the slot, and is also a dynamic playmaker in the open field.

The Dallas Cowboys are in desperate need of upgrades at safety as they convert to a Tampa 2 defense. Oklahoma’s Tony Jefferson is an aggressive playmaker who would be good value in the middle of Round 3, and although he has subpar measurables, he has the all-around game to develop into a solid starting free safety.

The New York Giants have invested often in cornerbacks in recent drafts, but have continued to have trouble with giving up big passing plays, and should look to continue solidifying the position. San Diego State’s Leon McFadden is an instinctive cornerback who would be a good addition and good third-round value as a cornerback upgrade in nickel/dime packages.

82. Miami Dolphins (from Chicago Bears): Travis Kelce, TE, Cincinnati

Free-agent addition Dustin Keller only signed a one-year contract, and even with Keller, the Dolphins should be in the market for a tight end who can add more as a blocker in addition to being a downfield receiving threat. They can get that from Cincinnati’s Travis Kelce, who visited the Dolphins according to Draft Ace, and whose upside warrants a third-round pick.

The Minnesota Vikings are in need of an upgrade at middle linebacker following the departure of Jasper Brinkley, and North Carolina’s Kevin Reddick is one of the best available players at this point. Reddick is a very good run-stopper with great instincts, and is also an upgrade over Brinkley in pass coverage.

The Cincinnati Bengals could use an upgrade at center. Wisconsin’s Travis Frederick is a massive and powerful run-blocking center who is also quick off the snap, and would be a good value selection in Round 3 to improve that position.

The Washington Redskins could use serious upgrades at safety. Drafting athletic and hard-hitting playmaker D.J. Swearinger out of South Carolina as an upgrade over Reed Doughty at free safety would be a good start in Round 3.

If the Indianapolis Colts are still in the market for another wide receiver, West Virginia’s Stedman Bailey would be a good value choice in Round 3. Bailey is small for a receiver that lacks top-end speed, but he is an efficient playmaker who can make plays in the open field, runs great routes and is very physical, allowing him to play bigger than he stands.

The Seattle Seahawks should be in the market for reinforcements at guard and right tackle, and Syracuse’s Justin Pugh is a good talent with the potential to play both positions. He is good value late in Round 3, and could compete for an immediate starting spot.

The Derek Newton experiment at right tackle was a failure for the Houston Texans last season, so the Texans should be in the market for an upgrade. Ohio State’s Reid Fragel may not be ready to start immediately, but is a converted tight end whose length and athleticism have translated well to the right tackle position, and give him intriguing developmental potential.

In terms of upside and value, Michigan State defensive end William Gholston is well worth a late third-round pick. He could continue to give the Broncos depth at defensive end — a position where they are suddenly this — while he has big upside as both an outside and interior rusher with intriguing measurables.

Assuming the Pittsburgh Steelers do not match the Patriots’ offer for Emmanuel Sanders, they will receive the No. 91 overall selection as restricted free agent compensation. A likely selection with that pick could be Ohio State outside linebacker John Simon, a player the Steelers have expressed interest in with general manager Kevin Colbert attending his personal pro day, and could be another strong addition to the Steelers’ outside linebacker rotation.

Sam Montgomery’s stock has dropped considerably following an unspectacular junior season and some serious questions about his in-game effort, but he remains a gifted pass-rushing defensive end with good upside. He can impact the game as both a rusher and run defender, and would be a good addition to the Falcons’ defensive end rotation.

93. San Francisco 49ers: Chase Thomas, OLB, Stanford

Jim Harbaugh could bring back one of his own from Stanford in outside linebacker Chase Thomas to add needed depth at the outside linebacker position. Thomas is not an explosive athlete, but he is solid against the run and at making plays in space.

94. Baltimore Ravens: Jon Bostic, ILB, Florida

The Baltimore Ravens still have a major need to add playmakers at the inside linebacker position following the losses of Ray Lewis and Dannell Ellerbe. Florida’s Jon Bostic is an athletic, hard-hitting inside linebacker with the potential to be a very good player if he becomes more disciplined.

After losing Connor Barwin to free agency, adding another pass-rushing outside linebacker to the rotation would be a smart investment. Michael Buchanan, who formed an effective pass-rushing tandem two years ago at Illinois with Whitney Mercilus, would be a good choice late in Round 3.

Adding another weapon for quarterback Alex Smith to work with would be a good move. Arkansas’ Cobi Hamilton is a big receiver who is skilled at making plays downfield, and is good value as a late third-round pick.

97. Tennessee Titans (compensatory selection): Nickell Robey, CB, USC

USC’s Nickell Robey were drop due to his lack of size at only 5’7” and 169 pounds, but there is a lot of his game in his small package. His physicality, athleticism and sure tackling allow him to play bigger than he is, and he could be a very solid addition at the end of Round 3 as a nickel or dime back for the Titans secondary.

42 Responses to “2013 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting How Potential Trades Could Shake Up The Draft”

as a panther fan it’s surprising to see jesse williams taken so early, but i like what he can do and he fits the need for a verastile body on the Dline who can play nose if needed. i think that he would fit well beside greg hardy. both those guys are insane and can play anywhere on the DL. jesse being a stud against the run is the biggest draw, tho.

the only problem is they haven’t brought jesse in, but they did go to the alabama pro day. gettleman likes big powerful bodies on the DL and he may have seen enough on tape and at the pro day to make the call.

and WR in the second is a good choice as well. patton will be good.

nice job….and thanks for not sticking us with another UT in richardson. there’s been no sign of interest other than steve smith mentioning him on some radio show once upon a time. no visits. no pro days. nothing. that pretty much means no pick.

Another stupid mock with GB taking a TE in the first round. They did very well w/o Jennings last year and Finley isn’t going anywhere. They already have SIX TEs on the roster. Adding a seventh would be ludicrous. They need immediate help on D, not offense other than LT.

Easterbrooks is right look at hoyer the pats have 0 to show for him I think BB is pissed. I still think mall at will go to Cleveland. I don’t think Lombardi is sold on weedon. And what’s up with this mock the raiders selecting Werner and Arizona needs an OL so does phillu . I’m not a big fan of this mock

There was no investment in Hoyer he was a UFA. I doubt BB was angry, he flat cut Hoyer he could have carried 3 QBs again.

There was ZERO market for Hoyer; he was cut in September and didn’t get picked up until Rothlesberger got injured and Pitt picked him up in November. He didnt impress enough for the Steelers to keep him over Leftwich or Batch. So Hoyer was cut again. The Cardinals liked him more than Skelton and Kolb to get a RFA tender this year but they didn’t like him enough not to trade a 7th and a conditional pick for Carson Palmer…

Again it’s hard to get angry that we didn’t get anything for him… There was no interest. It’s also hard to think Hoyer had any trade value if Palmer went for what he did.

WRONG, there was an investment in Hoyer, you paid the guy for three years, waisted time training a player with out a future as your starter, and tied up a roster spot when you could have had someone else.
There was Zero market for Hoyer, because he played poorly in preseason. The only way BB could get anything for Hoyer, was Hoyer had to play good.

Trading down into the mid 30′s and gaining an extra pick would be ideal. I am the president and founder of the Jonathan Banks Fan Club so I enjoyed this mock. I’m with AM though, I found it odd Keenan Allen went as late as he did

The issue now is Mallett, BB is not going to carry 3 QBs on his roster. If Mallett is not the future in New England then? If he plays the preseason and does poor ? and Kafka does well ? It will be to late and you will have lost any value the Patriots had. BB already knows if Mallett has a future in New England. So getting a 3d pick now or next year in a trade, is good value for both teams.

Kafka a good decision-maker, gets the ball out quickly and is very accurate with his short and intermediate throws. His biggest drawback is his arm strength. He cannot throw the ball deep and struggles with passes outside the numbers. I would be SHOCKED if Kafka made the final roster over Mallet.

Trading Mallet is made more difficult with the new CBA; any team that trades for Mallet cannot renegotiate his contract until next year. So if Mallet were to come in and have a monster year Mallet has the leverage of playing out his deal the become an FA. I think also there is a facet of the CBA with rookie deals that gives the team an option of paying the player the average if the top10 salaries at the position. I have to read more about that. Either way I’m not trading value for something I can’t lock up.

The more depth on the roster the less room for a 3d QB. BB will carry extra dline this year, after being short last year, looks like more WR as well, as depth at LB this year. I have him drafting LB Sio Moore 1st.

Hunter is everything the Pats DON’T draft in WRs…tall, athletic, dumb, can’t run routes, poor hands, bad concentration, poor hands, doesn’t read defenses…no chance they draft this guy. If anyone they’d go for Woods, Bailey, or Wheaton long before Hunter. They might take a flier on Hunter in the 5th or 6th rounds, but not before that.

Former Michigan and Rice RB Sam McGuffie just blew up the regional super combine in Dallas. Running in the upper 4.2s-4.3 40yd one the most impressive at athletes at the event. vert and long jump also very good, check his highlights on youtube. Maybe an UFA.

There is not much centralized content about him (video or write up). All I know about him I gathered from Michigan can forums and some Rice YouTube vids. Somewhat of a YouTube legend due due to his freak athleticism.

A top 100 recuit that had concussion issues at Michigan; ran too upright and apparently didn’t have very good field awareness as he would get drilled on special teams. Left Michigan due to home sickness or family issues (from Texas) and Rice converted him in his senior year to WR take advantage of his speed for mismatches. As for draft no one has him rated not even Shawn Zobel so I doubt he goes much higher than a 7th round flyer.

Love your optimism, but neither are proven to the point either warrants a 3rd or 4th. Carson Palmer went for a 7th and Anquan Bolden went for a 6th; those two I would qualify as proven. I would say these two are no more proven/valuable than Arrelious Benn and TB couldn’t fetch much more than a 6th for him packaged w/ a 7th

I’m not 100% sold on Banks, but the way this mock is set up, he’s probably the best fit left for the Pats on the defensive side at that level (and not a bad pick, by any stretch). For the #59, if Wheaton is still available, I’d take him all day over Hunter.

I’m not sure I can see the Eagles trading for the #29th pick and moving-up just 6 picks? QB Manuel will be on the board at #35, why move-up?

I think Tampa is more likely to trade for the #29th pick. Thier first choice, #13 allows Tampa to get CB Xavier Rhodes. By trading for The Patriots #29 allows them to move up from #43 by , 15 picks , where they can take a QB , with the only QB off the board, is Geno Smith, OR Tampa could get QB Ryan Mallett in the deal’.
Patriots send QB Mallett, and #29 to Tampa for #43,#112,#126, and a 3d next year. Then Tampa could use #29 for other team needs.

If Mallett does poor in this preseason, and Kafka does well what will Bill do? He’s not going to carry 3 QBs on the roster. If he cuts Mallett he gets zipo, so trade him now unless Bill thinks he has a future for the Patriots.

Russ – I can’t follow your logic. Are you saying BB should just unload Mallet now for fear he has a poor preseason ? Mallet’s current value isn’t high now there is little tape on him; the only people that know how good he has progressed are the coaching staff; I think if BB thought Mallet had not progressed to the point of being a capable backup or worth more than what he was being offered BB would have moved him.

As a person who lives in the Philly media market I saw every preseason game Kafka played for the eagles; not sure why Reid loved him nor do I believe he will outplay Mallet. Kafka is a smart kid with average tools.

Amen. Definitely not a smooth move by far. If the #29 goes, its for better than (2) 4th rounders included with a minimum mid-upper 2nd rounder!!
And Mallet gets something more than just a 3rd in return…..just sayin’.